Our view: Play it safe this July 4 holiday

The time on and around the July 4 holiday is unique in many respects. We dress in the colors of the flag, eat picnic food like there's no tomorrow and even wax a little poetic about our country's historic beginnings.

Those are all good things. But something else is unique about the holiday that is not always so good. We handle - and sometimes even allow our children to handle - incendiary devices that we don't even think about playing with at any other time of the year. They can cause fires, burns and other severe injuries. They are called fireworks and their variety seems to grow each year.

We are not naive enough to suggest that people refrain from using fireworks to help celebrate our nation's birth. It is such a time honored tradition that it would be foolish to even suggest that. We will join legions of firefighters, doctors, emergency personnel and public safety agencies, however, in stressing that they be used safely.

Here are some of the tips they all agree upon, as provided by the Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection:

? Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.

? Read and follow all warnings and instructions.

? A responsible adult should closely supervise all fireworks activities.

? Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

? Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

? Light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, flammable materials and dry leaves and grass.

? Light one item at a time and then move back quickly.

? Never carry fireworks in a pocket or light them in or near metal or glass containers.

? Keep your pets indoors. Many animals have very sensitive ears and can be stressed or frightened due to the lighting of fireworks.

? Keep a bucket of water or a hose handy in case of a malfunction or fire.

? Most importantly - if fireworks fizzle and don't ignite, douse them with water and do not relight them!

Use fireworks that are legal to light. However, even that is no guarantee of safety. Of the 9,600 fireworks injuries reported in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2011, 89 percent involved fireworks deemed legal by federal authorities, according to Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Brian Satula.

Even the seemingly innocuous sparkler can throw off showers of sparks at temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees.

The Bureau of Consumer Protection said the recent trend toward children playing with glow sticks, bracelets or necklaces rather than fireworks is welcome. They are safe, available in a wide range of colors and styles, and last up to 12 hours - keeping kids occupied far longer than potentially dangerous sparklers.